Genesis 32:16
Genesis 32:16 in Multiple Translations
He entrusted them to his servants in separate herds and told them, “Go on ahead of me, and keep some distance between the herds.”
And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by themselves; and said unto his servants, Pass over before me, and put a space betwixt drove and drove.
And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by itself, and said unto his servants, Pass over before me, and put a space betwixt drove and drove.
These he gave to his servants, every herd by itself, and he said to his servants, Go on before me, and let there be a space between one herd and another.
He put his servants in charge of each of the separate herds and told them, “Go on ahead of me, and keep a good distance between the herds.”
So he deliuered them into the hande of his seruants, euery droue by themselues, and saide vnto his seruants, Passe before me, and put a space betweene droue and droue.
and he giveth into the hand of his servants, every drove by itself, and saith unto his servants, 'Pass over before me, and a space ye do put between drove and drove.'
He delivered them into the hands of his servants, every herd by itself, and said to his servants, “Pass over before me, and put a space between herd and herd.”
And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by themselves; and said to his servants, Pass over before me, and put a space betwixt drove and drove.
And he sent them by the hands of his servants, every drove by itself, and he said to his servants: Go before me, and let there be a space between drove and drove.
He divided them into small herds, and put each herd into the care of one of his servants. He said to his servants, “Go ahead of me, one group at a time, and keep some space between each herd.”
Jacob split up all those animals into groups, and he gave each group to one of his work-men to look after. He said to those work-men, “Take these groups of animals, and go ahead of me to meet my brother Esau. But don’t all go at the same time. I want one group to go first. A bit later, I want the 2nd group to go. Then a bit later, I want the 3rd group to go. Keep on doing that until all the groups go.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 32:16
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 32:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
גְּמַלִּ֧ים
מֵינִיק֛וֹת
וּ/בְנֵי/הֶ֖ם
שְׁלֹשִׁ֑ים
פָּר֤וֹת
אַרְבָּעִים֙
וּ/פָרִ֣ים
עֲשָׂרָ֔ה
אֲתֹנֹ֣ת
עֶשְׂרִ֔ים
וַ/עְיָרִ֖ם
עֲשָׂרָֽה
גְּמַלִּ֧ים
gâmâl
H1581
camel
N-mp
מֵינִיק֛וֹת
yânaq
H3243
to suckle
V-Hiphil
וּ/בְנֵי/הֶ֖ם
bên
H1121
son
Conj | N-mp | Suff
שְׁלֹשִׁ֑ים
shᵉlôwshîym
H7970
thirty
Adj
פָּר֤וֹת
pârâh
H6510
heifer
N-fp
אַרְבָּעִים֙
ʼarbâʻîym
H705
forty
Adj
וּ/פָרִ֣ים
par
H6499
bullock
Conj | N-mp
עֲשָׂרָ֔ה
ʻeser
H6235
ten
Adj
אֲתֹנֹ֣ת
ʼâthôwn
H860
she-ass
N-fp
עֶשְׂרִ֔ים
ʻesrîym
H6242
twenty
Adj
וַ/עְיָרִ֖ם
ʻayir
H5895
colt
Conj | N-mp
עֲשָׂרָֽה
ʻeser
H6235
ten
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 32:16
גְּמַלִּ֧ים
gâmâl
H1581
"camel"
N-mp
A camel, used for riding or carrying loads, is mentioned in the Bible as a valuable animal. In the KJV, it is translated simply as 'camel'.
Definition: 1) camel 1a) as property, as beast of burden, for riding, forbidden for food
Usage: Occurs in 51 OT verses. KJV: camel. See also: Genesis 12:16; Judges 6:5; Isaiah 21:7.
מֵינִיק֛וֹת
yânaq
H3243
"to suckle"
V-Hiphil
To suckle or nurse is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which also means to give milk. It describes the act of nursing a child.
Definition: 1) to suckle, nurse, suck 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to suck 1a2) suckling, babe (subst) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to give suck to, nurse 1b2) nursing, nursing woman, nurse (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 30 OT verses. KJV: milch, nurse(-ing mother), (give, make to) suck(-ing child, -ling). See also: Genesis 21:7; 2 Chronicles 22:11; Psalms 8:3.
וּ/בְנֵי/הֶ֖ם
bên
H1121
"son"
Conj | N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
שְׁלֹשִׁ֑ים
shᵉlôwshîym
H7970
"thirty"
Adj
Thirty is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can also be used as an ordinal to describe something as thirtieth. It is used to count quantities in the Bible.
Definition: thirty, thirtieth Aramaic equivalent: te.la.tin (תְּלָתִין "thirty" H8533)
Usage: Occurs in 163 OT verses. KJV: thirty, thirtieth. Compare H7991 (שָׁלִישׁ). See also: Genesis 5:3; 1 Samuel 11:8; Jeremiah 38:10.
פָּר֤וֹת
pârâh
H6510
"heifer"
N-fp
A heifer is a young female cow, and this Hebrew word is used in the Bible to describe such an animal. In Exodus 29:1, a heifer is used as a sacrifice, and in Numbers 19:2, it is used for purification. It is an important animal in biblical times.
Definition: cow, heifer
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: cow, heifer, kine. See also: Genesis 32:16; Numbers 19:6; Isaiah 11:7.
אַרְבָּעִים֙
ʼarbâʻîym
H705
"forty"
Adj
The number forty is what this Hebrew word represents, often used in the Bible to mark significant periods of time, like the 40 days of rain in Genesis or the 40 years of Israel's wilderness journey.
Definition: forty
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: -forty. See also: Genesis 5:13; Judges 13:1; Psalms 95:10.
וּ/פָרִ֣ים
par
H6499
"bullock"
Conj | N-mp
This Hebrew word means a young bull or ox, often used as a sacrifice in the Bible. In Exodus, a bullock is used as an offering to God. The word describes a strong and powerful animal.
Definition: young bull, steer, bullock
Usage: Occurs in 119 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] young) bull(-ock), calf, ox. See also: Genesis 32:16; Numbers 28:20; Psalms 22:13.
עֲשָׂרָ֔ה
ʻeser
H6235
"ten"
Adj
This Hebrew word means the number ten, often used in combination with other numbers to describe larger quantities, such as in the story of the ten commandments in Exodus 20. It is commonly translated as 'ten' in the KJV.
Definition: 1) ten 1a) ten 1b) with other numbers Aramaic equivalent: a.sar (עֲשַׂר "ten" H6236)
Usage: Occurs in 157 OT verses. KJV: ten, (fif-, seven-) teen. See also: Genesis 5:14; 1 Kings 6:3; Isaiah 5:10.
אֲתֹנֹ֣ת
ʼâthôwn
H860
"she-ass"
N-fp
A female donkey is referred to by this Hebrew word, which emphasizes the animal's gentle nature. It appears in Genesis 12:16 and 31:34, describing the donkeys owned by Abraham and Jacob.
Definition: she-ass, she-donkey
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: (she) ass. See also: Genesis 12:16; Judges 5:10; Zechariah 9:9.
עֶשְׂרִ֔ים
ʻesrîym
H6242
"twenty"
Adj
This word means twenty, and is also used as an ordinal number, like twentieth, as seen in Genesis 31:38. It can refer to a specific age or quantity.
Definition: twenty, twentieth Aramaic equivalent: es.rin (עֶשְׂרִין "twenty" H6243)
Usage: Occurs in 281 OT verses. KJV: (six-) score, twenty(-ieth). See also: Genesis 6:3; 1 Kings 9:14; Ezra 2:19.
וַ/עְיָרִ֖ם
ʻayir
H5895
"colt"
Conj | N-mp
A colt is a young donkey, strong enough to carry a load, as described in the Bible with words like foal or young ass.
Definition: he-ass, male ass
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: (ass) colt, foal, young ass. See also: Genesis 32:16; Job 11:12; Isaiah 30:6.
עֲשָׂרָֽה
ʻeser
H6235
"ten"
Adj
This Hebrew word means the number ten, often used in combination with other numbers to describe larger quantities, such as in the story of the ten commandments in Exodus 20. It is commonly translated as 'ten' in the KJV.
Definition: 1) ten 1a) ten 1b) with other numbers Aramaic equivalent: a.sar (עֲשַׂר "ten" H6236)
Usage: Occurs in 157 OT verses. KJV: ten, (fif-, seven-) teen. See also: Genesis 5:14; 1 Kings 6:3; Isaiah 5:10.
Study Notes — Genesis 32:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 32:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 32:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 32:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 32:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 32:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 32:16
- Sermons on Genesis 32:16
Context — Jacob Prepares to Meet Esau
14200 female goats, 20 male goats, 200 ewes, 20 rams,
1530 milk camels with their young, 40 cows, 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys, and 10 male donkeys.
16He entrusted them to his servants in separate herds and told them, “Go on ahead of me, and keep some distance between the herds.”
17He instructed the one in the lead, “When my brother Esau meets you and asks, ‘To whom do you belong, where are you going, and whose animals are these before you?’ 18then you are to say, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift, sent to my lord Esau. And behold, Jacob is behind us.’”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 33:8–9 | “What do you mean by sending this whole company to meet me?” asked Esau. “To find favor in your sight, my lord,” Jacob answered. “I already have plenty, my brother,” Esau replied. “Keep what belongs to you.” |
| 2 | Genesis 32:20 | You are also to say, ‘Look, your servant Jacob is right behind us.’” For he thought, “I will appease Esau with the gift that is going before me. After that I can face him, and perhaps he will accept me. ” |
| 3 | Proverbs 2:11 | Discretion will watch over you, and understanding will guard you, |
| 4 | Matthew 10:16 | Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. |
| 5 | Psalms 112:5 | It is well with the man who is generous and lends freely, whose affairs are guided by justice. |
| 6 | Isaiah 28:26 | For his God instructs and teaches him properly. |
Genesis 32:16 Summary
[In Genesis 32:16, Jacob is showing that he wants to make things right with his brother Esau, and he's taking a careful approach to do so. He divides his livestock into separate herds and sends them ahead, which is a sign of peace and a gift to Esau, similar to the gifts given in Genesis 33:1-11. This verse teaches us about the importance of humility and planning in our relationships with others, as seen in Proverbs 15:1. By sending his herds ahead, Jacob is able to show Esau that he comes in peace and is willing to make amends, which is a valuable lesson for us today.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jacob divide his livestock into separate herds?
Jacob likely divided his livestock to prevent overwhelming Esau with a large number of animals at once, as seen in Genesis 32:16, and to show his brother that he came in peace, much like the gift-giving customs described in Genesis 33:1-11.
What can we learn from Jacob's strategy in sending his herds ahead?
We can learn the importance of planning and preparation in our interactions with others, as Jacob did in Genesis 32:16, and also the value of humility and deference, as demonstrated in his gift-giving to Esau, which is reminiscent of the wise instructions in Proverbs 15:1.
How does this verse relate to Jacob's fear of Esau?
This verse shows Jacob's cautious approach to meeting his brother Esau, as he is aware of their past conflicts, such as the incident in Genesis 27:41, and wants to make a good impression, as seen in his instructions to his servants in Genesis 32:17-18.
What role do the servants play in this verse?
The servants in Genesis 32:16 are entrusted with the care of Jacob's livestock and are given specific instructions on how to interact with Esau, demonstrating Jacob's trust in them and his desire to present himself and his gifts in the best possible light, much like the faithful servants in Matthew 25:14-30.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can apply Jacob's strategic thinking to my own life and relationships?
- How can I, like Jacob, demonstrate humility and a willingness to make amends in my interactions with others?
- What gifts or talents has God entrusted to me, and how can I use them to bless others, as Jacob did with his livestock?
- In what ways can I balance planning and preparation with trust in God's sovereignty, as Jacob seemed to do in this verse?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 32:16
And he delivered [them] into the hand of his servants,.... To present them to Esau as from him: every drove by themselves; there seems to have been three droves, see Genesis 32:19; very probably the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 32:16
And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother; He lodged there that same night.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 32:16
That his gift might be represented to Esau with most advantage, and his mind might by little and little be sweetened towards him.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 32:16
Genesis 32:16 And he delivered [them] into the hand of his servants, every drove by themselves; and said unto his servants, Pass over before me, and put a space betwixt drove and drove.Ver. 16. Every drove by themselves.] That Esau, having occasion of viewing the present, questioning the servants, and hearing Jacob’ s submission, might be somewhat mollified, and his anger abated. "Be wise as serpents". “ Ut fragilis glacies, occidit ira mora.”
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 32:16
(16) A space.—Heb., a breathing place. These paration of the droves would be a matter of course, as each kind would travel peaceably onward only by itself. But Jacob rightly concluded that the repeated acknowledgment of Esau as his lord, added to the great value of the gift, would fill his brother’s heart with friendly feelings, and perhaps therefore he put a longer space than usual between the successive droves.
Sermons on Genesis 32:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Genesis 32 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of stirring oneself up in the faith. He references the story of Charles Wesley's hymn, "Come Thou Traveler Unknown," to illus |
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(Genesis) Genesis 32:20-23 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jacob crossing the brook Jabbok. Jacob is filled with fear and doubt as he prepares to meet his brother Esau, whom he had mistr |
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On Eagles' Wings Pt 64 by Don Courville | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of trusting in Jesus as one's Savior and confessing one's sins. He encourages listeners to find a fundamental church that prea |
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How to Get on Fire for God by Ray Comfort | In this sermon, the preacher discusses three keys to getting on fire for God. The first key is faith, which is described as believing in the promises of God and finding joy and pea |
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(Biographies) Adoniram Judson by John Piper | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of guarding the deposit of the gospel with fences. He warns against the consequences of not protecting the truth of the gospel |
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Freedom From Fear and Worry by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the theme of freedom from fear and worry. He begins by discussing the prediction made by Jesus about unprecedented fear in the last days. He |
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Road to Reality - Invest in the Harvest- Matt 7 by K.P. Yohannan | In this sermon, Brother K. P. Ohanan shares a powerful story from the mission field in India. He describes encountering a village where a man was possessed by hundreds of demons an |